Paul Stanley spoke about the planned Kiss avatars. The announcement of virtual performances in the future was met with skepticism in the music world. The guitarist and singer of the hard rock band now wants to appease the critics before they shout.
“People had, perhaps understandably, the wrong impression of the avatars at first,” Stanley admits “Ultimate Classic Rock”. After Kiss played their farewell concert in New York at the beginning of December, they pointed to a new era with digital versions of the group on stage.
“The end of the road is the beginning of another road,” Stanley announced on stage, based on the title of the “End Of The Road World Tour”. Kiss also gave their first glimpses there at Madison Square Garden. “However, the avatars are still in their infancy. “They are a far cry from how they will look and act,” says Stanley. “The point ultimately is not that we are replaced by flying avatars. It’s just a way of diversifying what Kiss stands for.”
Kiss want to exploit all possibilities
From 2027, shows with the musicians’ virtual forms will take place. Until then, the concept will continue to be refined. Paul Stanley also pointed out in the interview that this was not the first controversial announcement from Kiss. “Over the last 50 years, people have often tried to figure out our plans,” said the band co-founder. “In nine out of ten cases our ideas were successful. So this is nothing new.”
Stanley also discussed the band’s standing in the scene: “We are in the fortunate and unique position of being a group that can do things that others can’t. So not to explore the possibilities and use them to our advantage would be ridiculous and essentially idiotic. We’ve worked hard to create these four iconic characters, to be an iconic band in so many ways, and not to add variety and expand on the concept would be stupid.”
What happens next for Paul Stanley
The end of the analog Kiss stage doesn’t mean that the musicians will completely disappear from the scene. Bassist and singer Gene Simmons recently announced his next solo show. Stanley, on the other hand, plans to devote himself to art. His exhibition “The Other Side” premieres in Florida next month. On display are paintings as well as painted guitars, metal work and mixed media works. Should he head back into music, one thing is certain: Kiss should not be emulated, because “it is so unique that a copy can only fail.”